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In Profile: Wild Things
Investing In The Future A new mini booth, a significant investment in a back office MRP software system, and new staff joining the team, are just some of the many ways that Wild Things has been taking the company forward as it celebrates its 35th milestone year. With exciting new products launching for Autumn Fair, and a major move on the horizon next year to accommodate Wild Things’ ongoing expansion, founder and managing director Jules Vahrman has lots more to shout about, as PG&H discovered. With trade shows the ideal place for companies to showcase what’s new, Wild Things’ founder and managing director Jules Vahrman couldn’t be more excited to unveil not only new product for Autumn/Winter, (more of which later), but also a brand new version of the company’s hugely popular all singing, all dancing rotating display tree booth. In fact, as Jules freely admits, the original mini booth - featuring 132 hanging products and lit by two 27w LED cluster bulbs, first launched in 2018 - has given a massive boost to the company’s UK business, with sales surging ahead by 30% compared to the previous year. “The mini booth has been a game changer,” Jules admits.
“Customers are currently purchasing two booths because they work so well. It’s helping to increase our presence in garden centres and, thanks to our collaboration with a new supplier, current versions have been upgraded, with the new improved booths available at Autumn Fair. In the background we are also working on a counter top version which will be available later this year. Following on from the success of the mini booths, we have streamlined our catalogue in order to concentrate on the different product mixes - all British made, wildlife, and general
Wild Things: The Lowdown
l Wild Thing was founded by Jules Vahrman in 1984. l In addition to designing and manufacturing for the
retail trade In Exeter, bespoke work is also carried out for visitor attractions. l The business currently employs 12 people at its Exeter-based workshop and offices, plus three people on the road, as well as a team of 30 homeworkers. Left: To celebrate Wild Things’ 35th anniversary, the company recently introduced new branding, which features a brand new logo, a new typeface and the by line: ‘Bespoke Crystals And Jewellery Since 1984’
Above left: Jules Vahrman, founder and managing director of Wild Things. Above: Fantasy glass butterflies, handmade and hand-painted exclusively for Wild Things. Below left: The ‘game changer’, now with even more light and an improved design. Below right: This years’ new colourway for Confetti.
best sellers. Within those categories are Angels on the top layer, Crystal Fantasies on the second layer, Fantasy Glass and Marine Glass on the third layer, and Heart of Hearts, large Fantasy, Radiance and Cascade at the bottom.” This surge of interest in the mini booths has meant that Wild Things - which specialises in UK designed and manufactured rainbow making window ornaments, such as sun catchers, as well as jewellery incorporating Swarovski crystals has had to up production. “All our efforts have gone into increasing orders, which in turn has meant that we have had to train additional staff to keep on top of both the orders and the components needed to make the rainbow glass,” Jules points out. “And it’s because we have experienced such rapid growth, that our focus has been very much on the production side of the business, with the recent implementation of a Progressive Gifts & Home Worldwide
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